Apple is pushing back against the ‘scratchgate’ chatter that has followed the launch of its iPhone 17 Pro, after demo units in stores were photographed with visible marks around the camera plateau and frame.

The company says many of the blemishes aren’t scratches at all but residue from worn MagSafe charger stands used in its stores.

According to Apple, the marks can be wiped away and don’t reflect the phone’s durability.

Independent experts aren’t so sure.

Analysis from iFixit suggests that Apple has returned to anodised aluminium for the frame, noting that oxide layers can flake at sharp edges, such as the camera bump.

Material scientists warn that this could make those points more prone to long-term chipping compared to last year’s titanium design.

The contrasting explanations have left buyers uncertain. On one side, Apple argues that the issue is cosmetic and easily fixable; on the other, repair advocates suggest that the design choice could make edges more vulnerable over time.

For consumers, the safest approach is simply to use a protective case.

Whether Scratchgate proves to be an overblown issue or a sign of deeper design fragility, Apple’s latest flagship will need to prove it’s durable, or the company will face more competitive pressure from the likes of Google, Huawei, Oppo, Samsung, and Xiaomi.